Overview
Castletown House dominates the Celbridge skyline as the finest example of Palladian architecture in Ireland. Designed for William Conolly, the Speaker of the Irish House of Commons, the mansion was completed in the late 1720s and has since become a symbol of the country’s Georgian heritage. Set on the banks of the River Liffey, the estate stretches over 120 acres of landscaped parkland, river walks, a restored lake, and a collection of ornamental follies such as Mrs Siddon’s Temple. The house and its grounds are now owned by the State and managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW).
History
The story of Castletown begins in 1722 when William Conolly commissioned a grand country house to reflect his political power and immense wealth. The façade is attributed to the Italian architect Alessandro Galilei, while Irish architect Sir Edward Lovett Pearce oversaw the overall design and added the wings. Conolly died in 1729, but his widow Katherine continued to live there, adding follies and entertaining the elite of Dublin.
In the mid‑18th century the house passed to Conolly’s great‑nephew Thomas and his wife Lady Louisa, who oversaw an extensive interior refurbishment. Their taste is evident in the cantilevered Portland‑stone staircase, the richly stuccoed plasterwork by the Lafranchini brothers, the 80‑foot Long Gallery, and the unique Print Room – the only surviving example of its type in Ireland.
The Conolly family retained the house until 1965, when it was sold to private owners. Fearing vandalism, Desmond and Mariga Guinness purchased the property in 1967, launching a major restoration under the Irish Georgian Society. The Castletown Foundation was created in 1979 to safeguard the house, and in 1994 the OPW took over ownership, beginning a new phase of state‑led conservation.
Recent years have seen the estate’s demesne re‑consolidated under public ownership. In 2025 the State resolved a long‑running access dispute, restoring full vehicular entry from the M4 motorway. The house itself is scheduled to reopen for guided tours on 15 March 2026, while the parklands have remained open to the public throughout the closure.
What to See & Do
- The Grand Staircase – A striking cantilevered staircase of Portland stone that dominates the entrance hall.
- Green and Red Drawing Rooms – Former reception rooms where the Conollys welcomed guests; the Red Drawing Room now showcases a restored 19th‑century silk damask after a major conservation project (2015‑2018).
- Print Room – The only intact 18th‑century print room in Ireland, displaying cut‑out images fashionable in the 1760s.
- Long Gallery – An 80‑foot room decorated in a Pompeian palette of blue, red and gold, once used for grand entertainments.
- State Bedroom – Furnished with Venetian chairs, this room once hosted visiting viceroys.
- Biodiversity Garden – A family‑friendly area with a fairy‑trail, play space and educational signage.
- River Walks & Lake – Meander along the Liffey or around the restored lake, spotting the remains of Lady Louisa’s bathing house and the neo‑classical temple.
- Events – The house hosts concerts, markets and craft fairs throughout the year; check the official site for the latest programme.
Practical Information
Opening hours
| Area | Opening times |
|---|---|
| Parklands (gates) | 07:00 – 19:00 daily |
| House (guided tours) | 15 Mar 2026 – 04 Nov 2026 (tours run daily, times listed on the website) |
Admission
| Visitor | Fee |
|---|---|
| Parklands | Free |
| House (guided tour) | Free (as of the 2026 reopening) |
Getting there
- By car – Access the car park from the M4 (junction 6). The OPW restored the vehicular entrance in December 2025.
- By bus – Dublin Bus C4 (Ringsend → Celbridge) stops at Castletown Gates (stop 3907). The Go‑Ahead 120 service also stops at English Row (stop 7085) with a short walk to the estate.
- By train – From Hazelhatch station take the W61 bus to Celbridge Main Street (stop 3907).
- By foot or bike – A pedestrian entrance runs from Celbridge’s main street along a lime‑tree‑lined avenue; a riverside footpath follows the Liffey.
Facilities – Baby‑changing rooms, wheelchair‑accessible toilets, a lift, a café, a gift shop, Wi‑Fi, picnic areas, and marked walking trails are available on‑site.
Accessibility Ground‑floor rooms are fully accessible, and the estate provides wheelchair‑accessible toilets. Admission is free for visitors with disabilities and their accompanying carer. Upper floors are not suitable for limited mobility.
Contact & online resources
- Website: https://castletown.ie/
- Phone: +353 1 628 8252
- Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/place/53.349127,-6.53029
- Accessibility details: https://castletown.ie/accessibility-at-castletown/
Plan your visit to Castletown House early in the season to enjoy the newly restored interiors alongside the timeless beauty of the parklands. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture lover, or simply looking for a scenic day out near Dublin, Castletown offers a uniquely Irish experience that blends grand interiors with tranquil natural surroundings.